ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Demand and Production of Pulses
The total production of pulses in the country during 2020-21 is estimated at 25.72 million tonnes . As per National Statistical Office  survey on “Household Consumer Expenditure” conducted in the NSS 68th round  the Quantity of consumption of pulses & pulse products per person for a period of 30 days for rural & urban sectors is 0.737 kg and 0.845 kg respectively. Further, as per the Working Group report on “Demand and Supply Projections towards 2033 of Crops, Livestock, Fisheries and Agricultural Inputs of NITI Aayog the projected demand of pulses for year 2020-21 is 26.05 million tonnes.
The average growth of pulses production during last five years  is estimated at 10.89%.
The average kharif pulses production during last five years was about 36.5% of the total pulses production in the country. Also, the average growth of kharif pulses production is 13% as compared to 10.4% average growth in rabi pulses production during last 5 years.
Since 1950-51 the area under pulses has increased from 19.09 Million hectares to 28.83 Million hectares  showing an increase of 51%.During last five years  the average area under Tur is estimated at 4.73 million hectares with an average annual growth of 5.2%, whereas the average area under Soyabean is estimated at 11.53 million hectare with average annual growth of 2.2%.
This information was given by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
IAF READIES BAGDOGRA AIRFIELD FOR RESUMPTION OF
CIVIL AIR OPERATIONS
CIVIL AIRCRAFT RESTART OPERATIONS FROM 26 APRIL 2022
The Indian Air Force has carried out extensive resurfacing work on the runway of Bagdogra airfield enabling civil aircraft to resume operations from the morning of 26 April 2022. The first civil aircraft landed there today at around 08:00 am.
The resurfacing on central bituminous portion of the runway has been completed on schedule. The runway was closed for two weeks for laying three flexible  layers, reconstruction of non-load bearing surfaces etc. The work also involved reconstruction of the concrete portion at each end of the runway and widening of the taxi tracks & links as per International Civil Aviation Organisation  Standards.
The work was executed with Border Roads Organisation  as the implementing agency and was completed expeditiously to facilitate civil aircraft operations with least inconvenience to the airlines and passengers.
Bagdogra is the second busiest airport of West Bengal and is a joint user international airport with a civil terminal attached to the IAF airfield. IAF's timely completion of the work will enable approximately 8000 air travellers to fly to and from Bagdogra, to various parts of the country, every day.
The Bagdogra airfield is not only important from a strategic point of view but is also a major international hub for promoting tourism and economy. The airfield is an important node for connecting Darjeeling and Siliguri to the rest of the country and the world.
IAF remains committed to the Government's Mission UDAN - 'Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik'.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Piped Natural Gas
Providing Piped Natural Gas  connections are part of the development of City Gas Distribution  Network and the same is carried out by the entities authorised as per the Minimum Work Programme  targets provided by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board  and techno-commercial feasibility. As on 31.05.2023, 300 Geographical Areas  covering about 98% of the population and 88% of total geographical area of the country spread over around 630 districts in 28 States/UTs including rural areas have been authorized by PNGRB.As per MWP target, authorised entities have to provide approx. 12.5 crore PNG connections by 2030 including in rural and urban areas. The authorized entities also supply natural gas to customers including entrepreneurs in industrial and commercial sector in their GAs as per the demand and techno-commercial viability.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
President's Secretariat
President of India Addresses the Valedictory Function of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of High Court of Kerala
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, graced and addressed the valedictory function of the diamond jubilee celebrations of High Court of Kerala in Kochi today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the Kerala High Court is known for sensitivity to people’s rights and civil liberties. The judgements of this High Court have contributed to deepening the traditions of democracy and civic freedom in our country. This High Court is a pioneer in supporting environmental and ecological norms and standards. It has given important verdicts, including on the right of the people for clean air; the right of the people for clean water; the right of the people for healthy surroundings; assigning the supply of safe drinking water to citizens in adequate quantity as the primary constitutional responsibility of the state and banning of smoking in public places.
The President said that the judiciary is one of India’s most valued and respected institutions. Its fearless and independent functioning and stature has enhanced India’s credibility in the democratic world. Every Indian is proud of the judiciary and respects its verdicts and its commitment to the values that embody our nationhood.
The President said that our legal system, with an independent judiciary as its bedrock, is an essential part of our nation building process. It acts as a corrective and it upholds the sanctity of the law and of natural justice. And it functions as the guardian of the ethical principles underlying the Constitution. This makes everybody connected with the process of justice delivery a nation builder.
The President said that delay in justice delivery is a pressing concern in our country. Often those who suffer are among the poorest and most underprivileged in our society. We must find mechanisms to ensure quick disposal of cases. We could all consider an approach that makes adjournments the exception in an emergency situation rather than a tactic to prolong court proceedings.
The President said that our common citizens have that sacred trust and faith that the judiciary will ever stand by them, and never let them down. He was confident that the judiciary will always live up to the high expectations that our people have of it.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
The shift to digital has changed the mind-set of film makers: Aditya Vikram Sengupta at IFFI 51 ‘In-Conversation’ Session
“Film-making is almost like writing a diary”
“With OTT, a lot of content is being churned out, but ‘brewing time’ is not being given”
: Panaji, January 19, 2021
The shift from analog to digital has changed the art of film-making, and also the mindset for film-making at the same time. “Digitalisation has been a game-changer. With the coming of digital age, taking re-takes has become easier and visualisation has taken a backseat. The process of capturing an image is not real anymore”, feels award-winning film director, cinematographer and graphic designer Aditya Vikram Sengupta. “Earlier there used to be magic in discovering things, even in terms of photography”, Sengupta opined, in course of a virtual In-Conversation session with journalist and documentary film-maker Rohit Gandhi on the topic ‘Past, Present and Future of Visualisation’, at the 51st edition of International Film Festival of India.
“I am just a medium serving to help a film grow”, stated the film-maker who is planning his next film on celluloid. About his influences and inspirations, he said, “My childhood, my growing up have an influence on my films. I have had a strong relation with Kolkata. I have been close to the city from a young age”. Film-making happened accidentally to him and he always wanted to be a doctor, said Sengupta. “My intention was to love life and share it with people. Film-making is almost like writing a diary. It is a tool for me to express what I want to express and I am pretty much obsessed with it”, he stated. In the context of OTT platforms, he said, “It is like a mall. There is so much of content”. He also opined, “Cinema is not considered as an art form anymore. Everyone is busy churning out as much as they can. But, in the process, ‘brewing time’ is not given to a film”, he added.
Sengupta further said, “All films cannot be placed in the same category. My kind of films will have a different financial model than a Rajkumar Hirani film. Channels, earnings, distribution - everything will be different There are different audiences, different markets”.
The film-maker whose debut film in 2014 earned him Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film at the 62nd National Film Award, feels “Bollywood films still have the same old formula. But earlier, there used to be a solid, powerful storyline. But storylines have now become weak and need a lot of work”. However, he calls himself a Bollywood buff who was a huge Mithun Chakraborty fan and loved watching Anil Kapoor films.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Nearly 21 lakh farmers have benefitted from PM-KUSUM: Union Power & NRE Minister Shri R. K. Singh
PM-KUSUM Scheme consists of following three components:
- Component-A: installation of aggregated 10,000 MW capacity of small solar power plants, each of capacity up to 2 MW on the barren/fallow/pasture/marshy/ cultivable land of farmers.
- Component-B: installation of 20 lakh standalone solar water pumps; and
- Component-C: solarization of 15 lakh existing grid-connected agriculture pumps including through feeder level solarisation.
The Scheme was expanded in November, 2020 with an increased target of 30,800 MW of solar power capacity.
As on 28.02.2023, a total of 89.45 MW capacity has been installed under Component-A and around 2.09 lakh pumps have been reported installed/ solarized under Component-B and Component-C combined. This is equivalent to about 1,140 MW of installed solar capacity. State/UT-wise details of the farmers benefitted under the Scheme, including the State of Rajasthan, are given in Annexure.
The pace of implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan  was significantly affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic and State Implementing Agencies sought extension in the time-line for execution of projects under the Scheme. Ministry of New & Renewable Energy  has also conducted third party evaluation of the Scheme and based on the recommendations, the Scheme has been extended till 31.3.2026.
MNRE is monitoring implementation of the Scheme through regular meetings with States on weekly/fortnightly basis. The State Implementation Agencies are also required to submit progress reports on monthly basis. These mechanisms help in effective monitoring of the Scheme.
State/UT-wise details of beneficiaries under PM-KUSUM Scheme 
|
|
S. No.
|
|
State
|
|
Farmers Benefitted 
|
|
1
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
126
|
|
2
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
2132
|
|
3
|
|
Haryana
|
|
44325
|
|
4
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
534
|
|
5
|
|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
|
499
|
|
6
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
12107
|
|
7
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
314
|
|
8
|
|
Kerala
|
|
51
|
|
9
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
6790
|
|
10
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
47978
|
|
11
|
|
Manipur
|
|
28
|
|
12
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
35
|
|
13
|
|
Odisha
|
|
1223
|
|
14
|
|
Punjab
|
|
12459
|
|
15
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
57692
|
|
16
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
2751
|
|
17
|
|
Tripura
|
|
1654
|
|
18
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
17614
|
|
19
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
316
|
|
20
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
208648
This information was given by the Union Minister of New Renewable Energy Sh. R.K. Singh in the Rajya Sabha Today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
More than 41.10 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 2.51 Crore balance and unutilized doses still available with States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
|
|
VACCINE DOSES
|
|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
41,10,38,530
|
|
IN PIPELINE
|
|
52,90,640
|
|
CONSUMPTION
|
|
38,58,75,958
|
|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
2,51,62,572
More than 41.10 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources and a further 52,90,640 doses are in the pipeline.
Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 38,58,75,958 doses .
More than 2.51 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs and private hospitals to be administered.
President's Secretariat
President of India graces the 99th Annual Convocation of the University of Delhi
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu addressed the 99th annual convocation of the University of Delhi today  in Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that it can be said that Delhi University reflects India in all its richness and diversity. It can also be said that there is a bit of Delhi University in every area of excellence in India and abroad. However no institution can rest on its laurels. In today’s world of rapid changes, an institution has to continuously reinvent itself. The Delhi University community should feel duty-bound to lead other Universities in the country on parameters of excellence, and thereby, earn a place among globally comparable institutions of higher learning.
The President said that we should respect and welcome all languages and cultures, but always stay connected to our roots. Rejuvenation and creativity come from the roots. She urged youth to follow Gandhiji's advice of getting the excellent knowledge available in the world, while staying connected to the Indian soil.
Addressing the students, the President said that she was the first girl from her village to go to town for study. Among their classmates too, there may be many such students from whose family or village no one would have been able to get university level education before them. Such students are very talented and hardworking. They come to the University with great enthusiasm to fulfill their dreams. Sometimes they become victims of 'inferiority complex'. This should not happen in any sensitive society. It is the responsibility of teachers and other students to encourage such first-generation university students.
The President said that we should pay attention to some basic issues such as need for clean toilets for girl students, world-class laboratories, real quality education and needs of persons with disabilities.
The President said that due to the consumerist concept of development and civilization, the challenges of pollution, climate change and lifestyle diseases are taking a more formidable form. Our past generations have done many good things but they also made some mistakes. She urged the young generation to carry forward the good things and do away with the mistakes.
The President said that the main aim of education is to make a better human being. It is good to get big in life but it is better to be a good human. Discovering life on Mars is a good thing, but searching for well-being in life with good thinking is even more important. She urged the students to dream a new and dream big to build a new India and a new world.
Please click here to see the President’s Speech –
Ministry of Defence
Chetak incident at Sea
A major catastrophe was averted by the well trained Indian Naval aircrew, when their Chetak helicopter ditched at sea last week.
The helicopter was integral to an Indian Naval Warship operationally deployed in the Arabian Sea.
As per reports, the helicopter developed technical failure prior ditching and the crew displayed immense professional prowess and sound training thereby deftly landing the helicopter in the water and successfully egressing from it.
While all three crew members are safe, a Board of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the technical failure leading to the loss of the helicopter
President's Secretariat
President of India to present silver trumpet and trumpet banner to the President’s bodyguard tomorrow
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, will present the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard at a ceremony to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan tomorrow .
The President’s Bodyguard is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army, having been raised as the Governor-General’s Bodyguard  in 1773. As the President of India’s own Guard, it has the unique distinction of being the only military unit of the Indian Army that is privileged to carry the President’s Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. This distinction was conferred on the President’s Bodyguard in 1923 by the then Viceroy, Lord Reading, on the occasion of the Bodyguard completing 150 years of service. Each succeeding Viceroy, thereafter, presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the Bodyguard.
On January 27, 1950, the regiment was renamed the President’s Bodyguard. Every President has continued the practice of honouring the regiment. Rather than a coat of arms, as was the practice in the colonial era, the monogram of the President appears on the Banner. Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, presented his Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard on May 14, 1957.
The President’s Bodyguard, as it is known today, was raised in Banaras  by the then Governor-General, Warren Hastings. It had an initial strength of 50 cavalry troopers, later augmented by another 50 horsemen. Today, the President’s Bodyguard is a select body of hand-picked men with special physical attributes. They are chosen after a rigorous and physically gruelling process.
The President’s Bodyguard has seen war-time duty and a detachment currently serves on the Siachen Glacier. Its men have served with the IPKF in Sri Lanka and as part of UN Peace-Keeping Missions.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Mr. Adama Barrow, the new President of Gambia
PM congratulates Mr. Adama Barrow, the new President of Gambia
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the passing away of Dr. Anil Joshiyara, MLA from Gujarat
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the passing away of Dr. Anil Joshiyara, MLA from Bhiloda, Gujarat.
Prime Minister tweeted in Gujarati;
"ભિલોડાના ધારાસભ્ય ડો. અનિલ જોષીયારાના અવસાનથી દુઃખ થયું. લોકસેવક તરીકે તેઓ સદાય યાદ રહેશે. સદ્ગતના આત્માની શાંતિ માટે પ્રાર્થના તથા શોકગ્રસ્ત પરિવારને સાંત્વના…।
ૐ શાંતિ…॥"
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
India wins bronze in 109 kg category of men’s weightlifting at CWG 2022
Key Highlight:
- President Smt. Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulate Lovepreet for his extraordinary performance
- It took Lovepreet Singh 7 years of hardwork to make his place in the national camp at NSNIS Patiala, since then there has been no looking back for him: Shri Anurag Thakur
Weightlifter Lovepreet Singh won bronze medal in the 109 kg category of men's weightlifting with a total lift of 355 Kg at Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022. India’s medal tally reaches 14 with 5 golds, 5 silvers and 4 bronze medals. President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Union Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur and Indians from all corner of the country congratulated him for his achievement.
President Smt. Droupadi Murmu congratulated Lovepreet Singh for winning bronze at CWG 2022. President tweeted, “Indian weightlifters continue to excel and bring glory for the nation. Congratulations to Lovepreet Singh for winning bronze medal in weightlifting at Commonwealth Games. My best wishes to him for success in future events.”
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated weightlifter Lovepreet Singh for winning Bronze Medal at the CWG 2022.
Prime Minister tweeted, “Congratulations to the talented Lovepreet Singh for winning the Bronze medal in Men's 109kg weightlifting. The young and dynamic Lovepreet has impressed everyone with his calm temperament and dedication to sports. Wishing him the very best for all future endeavours.”
Congratulating Lovepreet Singh, Shri Thakur tweeted, “It took Lovepreet Singh 7 years of hardwork to make his place in the national camp at NSNIS Patiala, since then there has been no looking back for him! Congratulations on your medal at CWG2022. Champ, wish you the best for your future. #Cheer4India.”
Click here for achievements of Lovepreet Singh.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles loss of lives in road accident at Jalgaon, Maharashtra
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives in a road accident at Jalgaon, Maharashtra.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Heart-wrenching truck accident in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest".
Ministry of Defence
BORDER DISPUTE BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN
The situation along Line of Control remains stable post the Directorate General of Military Operations  Understanding of February 2021. Both the Armies have exercised restraint in the interest of maintaining peace along the LC. However, the situation is being closely monitored and Indian Army remains prepared to thwart any threat from inimical elements as also to respond in case of any escalation along the Line of Control.
Security situation along Western Borders  remains largely stable. However, there are indications of an emerging narco-terror nexus sponsored by inimical elements across the border aimed at causing instability, especially along border areas. Our forces along Western borders are adequately poised to respond to any challenge posed by adversary across entire conflict spectrum.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri GC Chandrashekhar in Rajya Sabha on March 21, 2022.